Mann asks how Gov ‘dared’ suggest Prez Rule: ‘letters smack of hunger for power’

The Governor has been accusing Mann of not responding to his letters seeking information on crucial issues, including the scourge of drugs in the state. Purohit on Friday had warned Mann that he could recommend President’s Rule in the state and also launch criminal proceedings if his letters were not answered.

Addressing a press conference here, Mann said the Governor wrote 16 letters, of which replies have been given to nine and the rest are being followed up. “Governor Sahib, sometimes it takes time to respond to letters. You have sought information, it takes time to collect the information,” Mann said, while reminding that Purohit was yet to clear six Bills, including two from the tenure of the previous government led by Capt Amarinder Singh, sent for Guberantorial assent. “You take months to clear our Bills which just require your signature. And you want us to respond to your letters immediately?” The Aam Aadmi Party leader said that the letters from the Governor reek of “hunger for power”.

Taking potshots, “All his letters smack of hunger for power. I got a bright doctor to be assigned as Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences. He said I should ask him. He did not let us call the special session of Vidhan Sabha. I had to go to Supreme Court. He belongs to Rajasthan and later shifted to Nagpur. Rajasthan elections are around the corner. He should contest the election on a BJP ticket and become the CM there. Politically astute leaders are needed. This will help your hunger of power. “ he told the Governor.

Mann alleged that “the selected” governors are acting as “puppets” of the Union government to create hindrances in the functioning of “elected representatives” in states like Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu — all with non-BJP governments. He asserted that that “threats” like the imposition of the President’s rule won’t scare him and the Punjabis.

“I will not comprise for the rights of Punjab. I will not put Punjab’s honour at stake. I do not know who is writing these letters. I have a suspicion that the Governor is only signing them,” he added.

Mann said his government had been taking proactive steps to tackle the scourge of drugs, confiscating and raiding properties of smugglers, and going after gangsters, the Governor claims the law and order situation in the state is not good.

“I want to ask…did the Haryana Governor write any letter to President of India for imposition of President’s Rule in that state after the communal clashes and violence in Nuh? Did the governor write any letter to Haryana CM? No, because their (BJP’s) government is also ruling at the Centre,” he said.

He said the Purohit was concerned about law and order in Punjab, but never gave a statement on Manipur, which is reeling under ethnic violence. “Is the Constitution not applicable in Manipur?”

Uttar Pradesh, a murder takes place in front of journalists, “but will the UP Governor dare issue any letter to (CM) Yogi Adityanath questioning law and order” asked Mann, apparently referring to the gunning down of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in April this year.

Mann also asked Purohit if he has ever written any letter to the Centre for the pending Rural Development Fund. “The Governor acts as a bridge between the Centre and the state. Have you ever asked me how much GST is pending with Centre? Have you ever asked me about farmers? Why are they on the roads? Have you ever asked if he should organise a meeting of farmers with Centre? Have you ever stood by Punjab? This is a one-way bridge,” Mann added.

The chief minister claimed on the issue Haryana colleges seeking affiliation with Panjab University, Purtohit did not once take the side of Punjab. “He was advocating their cause. When he did not stop, I had to ask, if he is the Governor of Punjab or Haryana”.

Mann also raised the issue of Governor, who is also the UT Administrator, removing Punjab IPS officer Kuldeep Singh Chahal from the post of Chandigarh’s Senior Superintendent of Police. “You sent him home at 10:30pm. Did you ask us? For five months you did not appoint the SSP (in Chandigarh). Who are you advocating for? The Centre?,” asked Mann.

“Governor Sahib, please do not do this to Punjab. We have protected the borders, fought for freedom of India, filled the granaries for the nation. Please do not threaten the people of Punjab…we believe in democracy,” he added.

Questioning the conduct of governors in non-BJP ruled states, Mann said that the Telangana government had to move the Supreme Court against delays by the Raj Bhawan in giving assent to the bills passed by the assembly.

“We are an elected government with 92 MLAs. The Election Commission held polls as per the Constitution. We pass agenda in Cabinet and then bills are introduced, but they get stuck for want of Governor’s assent,” he said.

Mann then went on to list out his government’s achievements, saying such things would not have been possible if law and order was not good in state. “Rs 50,871-crore investment is coming. As many as 3420 projects have come. These include Tata Steel, Nabha Power Limited, Nestle, Sanatan Polycott Limited. Another group is coming near Rajpura and investing Rs 100 crore. Do you think they come here without checking law and order? An industrialist never invests in the state that has law and order issue. This is a proof. In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister informed that Punjab leads in registration of MSMEs…2.70 lakh MSME units have registered with the government,” he added.

Mann said his government has launched a crusade against drugs. He said that over 23,518 drug smugglers have been arrested after registering 17623 FIRs and seizing 1,627 kg heroin. Properties of 66 drug smugglers have been seized. He said that so far 753 dreaded gangsters have been arrested and a large quantity of arms and vehicles have been seized.

Listing other initiatives, the CM said the people are getting 600 units of free electricity and 90 per cent of the people have been getting zero bills. He said that so far more than 31,000 youth of the state have been given government jobs and more than 12,000 jobs of contractual teachers have been regularised. He added, “Punjab is grappling with floods. We are in the process of compensating them. The Governor should help in getting the money from Centre”.